Westende Almshouses, London Road, Wokingham
Members of The Almshouse Association
Welcome to Westende Almshouses
Affordable, Independent Living for the Elderly in Wokingham
Westende is a peaceful and welcoming community located in the heart of Wokingham, Berkshire. Nestled in beautifully maintained gardens on London Road, our two blocks of self-contained flats offer secure and comfortable accommodation for older residents who facing financial hardship.
With 27 flats in total, Westende is just a short walk from shops and essential amenities, making it an ideal location for independent living. Residents contribute to the upkeep of the almshouses through a Monthly Maintenance Charge (MMC). The MMC is set below the Local Housing Allowance level for the Borough, ensuring affordability for those in need.
A Supportive Community
Westende is proud to have a strong community ethos, supported by our dedicated on-site manager, Lynda Rowe, who has been part of Westende for nearly 30 years. Lynda provides pastoral care to residents and oversees the upkeep of the buildings, helping to foster a safe and friendly environment.
We are also connected to ForestCare, a 24/7 emergency response service that offers peace of mind to residents and their families, knowing that help is always available.
Eligibility Criteria
Applications are considered by our trustees when vacancies arise, based on the charity's mission to support those in genuine need within the Wokingham Borough. Acceptance is at the trustees' discretion and applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Local Connection: Must have lived in Wokingham Borough for at least 2 years, or have strong historical ties (e.g. previous residence, local employment, or close family in the area).
- Level of Need: Must demonstrate financial or significant social/family need.
- Income Threshold: Household income must not exceed £296 per week (equivalent to £1,282 per month).
- Savings Cap: Total savings must not exceed £16,000.
- Affordability: Must be unable to afford to rent a similar-sized property in the area.
- Current Circumstances: Current accommodation must be unsuitable, or the applicant must be without housing.
- Independent Living: Must be able to live independently (e.g. able to shop and cook for oneself).
- Age Requirement: Must be aged 55 or older at the time of application.
- Community Ethos: Must understand and be willing to participate in a community-focused living environment.
Westende Accommodation
Each flat has its own front door and consists of spacious living room, a double bedroom, a modern fitted kitchen and a bathroom with a walk-in shower and there is generous storage space. The flats are suitable for single applicants or a couple.
Facilities provided at Westende Almshouses
A Residents Lounge is available with a kitchen for communal use, famous for hosting our Summer Strawberry Tea & Christmas Dinner get together. The Residents Lounge can also be booked for resident birthday celebrations and social events.
There are weekly social activities for the residents consisting of Tuesday coffee & cake mornings, Thursday Crafternoon where residents bring along their knitting or crochet and enjoy a tea or coffee. Bingo is a regular event along with Fish & Chip Thursdays!
A Laundry room is available for use by residents and is fitted with washing machines and tumble dryers.
There is also a guest room available for visitor use at reasonable cost.
Resident Handbook provides further information – available to view here
Current Vacancy – Apply Now
We are pleased to announce that a flat will soon be available at Westende so we are accepting applications. If you or someone you know meets the eligibility criteria and would benefit from joining our supportive community, we encourage you to apply today.
How to Apply
You can complete an application online or alternatively, if you prefer a paper application, please call us at 0118 403 2980 or email admin@wokinghamunitedcharities.org.uk and we'll be happy to send one to you by post.
We recommend submitting your application as soon as possible. Depending on the volume of applications received, we may need to close the application window without prior notice.